First Day (01)

I thank Grandmother before she leaves, feeling a bit warmer myself for the interaction. I'm glad I went for the hug. It feels like I've maybe made up a bit for how annoyed I was when she first arrived and interrupted things.

I head back toward the table we were at, standing at the end to talk to Mom. "Are you sticking around?" I ask her. "Have you had dessert yet? There's a whole table of sweets."

It's not possible, but it seems like there are somehow more desserts here now than there were when the party started. I walk slowly down the table with Mom, filling up a plate and pointing out my favorites with the kind of glee that would make me feel foolish if I were anywhere else but here with her. There are brownie bites and tiny bite-sized pies - I get key lime and cherry - and chocolate mouse and fruit tarts glistening and some delicious looking things even I don't recognize that I put on my plate for fun. I sprinkle in a chocolate truffle or two, some candied fruit, and even some gummy bears and sour gummy worms.

"You have to get both," I tell Mom about the bears and worms. "They're completely different."

I take a piece of the Koptoplakous (apparently) and nudge it into an empty space on my little plate, then watch with interest as Mom tries a gummy bear. I smile. "Dad's favorites are Raisinets or Good & Plenty." I make a face. "You won't find those here, because this is only the good stuff."

I realize after I've said it that I maybe just wanted to mention Dad because Mom just sort of praised Dionysus. Then I feel like I should fix it somehow, so I offer, "Dionysus always goes a little crazy when he hears you might be around."

I head back toward our table and slide into the booth again, this time on the opposite side of Mom instead of sharing a bench with her.

"No, no. It's not that I don't like him. Dionysus has been pretty good to me actually," I protest quickly. "It's just..." I hesitate, then sigh, letting go of whatever I'd like to frost over awkward conversations. "It's just weird thinking about you with anyone but Dad. Which I know isn't fair. I mean, Knox and I aren't even exclusive. But...Dad's still in love with you and I guess...I feel bad for him."

It soothes some part of me to hear Mom say she still loves Dad, even if it's sad how it seems impossible that they'd ever be together again. I can't see Dad being okay with her being with other people, even if he could get over all the god/magic/other world stuff.

I pick off a little bit of brownie bite and eat it as Mom enjoys her favorite treat, then shrug at the question of Dad dating. "Well, there was the one lady, last year. I...didn't really like her. I'm pretty sure they only went on that one date, and I don't think he's entertained even the idea of trying again since."

I immediately shake my head at the idea. "I don't think..." Then I trail off, realizing my reaction to the idea. I was going to say that I don't think I'd be comfortable with "Mom" being around. That I don't think I could connect with her, and maybe wouldn't even want to. That I don't want Mom to be replaced.

But then I realize that this would be just like Medora. Medora who Dad loved. Medora who I made Mom connect with as her own. Medora who was simultaneously like me and also her very own person who filled a gap in our lives and who we came to love with time.

I swallow. "Maybe. Maybe that would help him."

I nod with Mom, trying to subtly encourage her and maybe help quell her own fears.

"Yes," I tell her. "I'll come to get-"

And that's when Heracles' voice cuts in. I feel my heart beat a little quicker at the instant feeling that somehow he and I have been caught by my mom, like we're flirting with fire. But then he asks both of us out on the floor for a dance and I can see the hint of interest in Mom's eyes.

I shove a bite of the Koptoplakous in my mouth, momentarily immobilized by how good it is and closing my eyes to savor it before I swallow, laughing as I slide out of the booth.

"How could we leave you to face the hoards alone?" I say to Heracles, then glance at Mom to see if she'll join us too.

I chuckle softly at Mom's playful jab and take Heracles' other arm so he can lead us onto the floor. It's fun, and a little strange, seeing my mom let loose and have fun dancing with us. At first, I'm a little timid, just surprised by seeing her like this, but as the music goes on and she just embraces the moment, I relax too. I dance up a sweat, keeping things lighthearted and friendly even with Heracles - not pushing to anything more than simple fun at a party.

You vaguely notice your phone buzzing with a text. When you check it after a song ends, you see it's from Knox:
Almost midnight. Wanna finish the night together?

Your mother seems vibrant and happy to be here, so you'd have to ditch her.

What do you do?

I know that Mom's happy to be with me, but I'm also sort of suspicious that she might enjoy some more private time of her own for, ah, other activities. Not that I want to think about my mom participating in other activities for too long.

Still, I'm eager to see Knox and only have a few more hours before curfew, so I dance over to Mom and say over the music, "I'm going to go spend some time with Knox. I should say goodbye to you now in case we don't see each other before the end of the night."